Electrolytic apparatus.



ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED IIIAY`24, 1909. RENEWED IAN. 24. IsIs.

1,183,188. Patented May16,1916.-

-ated i-n the electrolysis of copper sulfate.

The oxygen so released is vaccompanied byl "State oi Colorado,

' 'UNITED sTATns PATENT onirica...

WILLIAMVE. GREENAWALT, 0F DENVER, COLORADO.

ELECTROLYTVIC APPARATUS.

ideales.

Application filed May 24, 1909, Serialu No. 498,080. Renewed January 24, 1916.

m To all 'Lv/wm it may concern Be it known that l, lViLLLur E. Glenmui- WALT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Denver, in the county of Denver and have invented certain new and useful Improve-ments in Electrolytic Apparatus. The anode products may be either primary, as chlorin, liberated in the electrolysis of chloiids, or secondary, .as oxygen, liber- In the electrolytic decomposition of copper sulfate, for example, thev reaction may be representedv as Ifollowsz- (l) CuSOrl-electric currentzCu-l-SOp considerable ozone, especially if a high current density is employed. The oxygen and ozone so produced iscollected and used in -the treatment of ores to facilitate the solution of the metals. If the ore to be treated fio is amenable'to the cyanid process for the extraction of the precious nietails, the oxygen, or air containing ozone may be used and therebyobtain an extraction impracticable with the ordinary method of procedure. It is Well known that in the treatment of ores by the cyanid process, oxygen plays an important part in the efficiency of the ,treatment, as shown by `the' following equations:-

`tenancy.,einen (4) QAg-l-'4KCy-l-H2O-l-O: n

i 2I{i-igCy2l-2l{OH While oxygen, therefore, is necessary for the solution ofthe precious metals, 'ozone is vastly more efficient. The aeration of ore or cyanidsolution with oxygen or air containing ozonegreatly facilitates and cheapens YIt is Well known also, that ozone is an eiicient oxidizer, and

substances, such as tell'urids, rwill yield' to voxidation under the influence of ozone which would remain unaltered by ordinary air or oxygen. By the judicious use of ozone, therefore, a close extraction of gold and silver-Lean ,be made on rau.i .tellurid ores and` thus save the additienalcost of roasting `v-,1:. liaye found that. in the' electrolysis of.

Specification of Letters Patent` the electrolyzed Patented May 16, 1916.

serial No. 74,061.

fcxygen, ozone, chlorin, or other gaseous elements capable of benefiting the ore, to withdraw -it from the electrolyzer and apply it to the. ore, either directly in the gaseous condition,l or by absorption in water, or as the products of secondaryreactions. The detailed method of applying it is immaterial.

Referring to the accompanyingdrawings, Figure lrepresents a longitudinal section through the electrolyzer and 2 a transverse section.

In the figures 1 represents a shallow tank, preferably mounted on 'wheels 2, and running' on tracks 3.

4 an inverted tank, or anode bell', suspended by rods, ropes or chains 5, and dipping'- below the surface ofthe electrolyte contained in tank l. The :inode bell in this Way is partially immersed in the electrolyte and forms a sealed chamber for the collection of the anode gases.

G represents the cathode in tank l and 7 the anodes in the suspended anode bell 4.

' lt will ordinarily not be necessary to use a diphragm, but i'f one is employed it is stretched over the lmouth of the anode bell between the anodes and cathodes as shown at 8.

9 are leading in rods to the anodes, and 1G similar rods connecting with the cathodes.

The material of the electrodes will depend on the nature of the electrolyte. The anodes are arranged with a space or opening between them to permit the electrolyte andA released g'ases to enter the anode compartment. The cathodes may be similarly arranged if the deposited inetal'is loose or granular, but if the deposit is firm and reguline a single thin cathode sheet in the bottom vof a fiat tank will do best.

llisa supply, and I2 the exhaust pipe for 'solution from the anode compartment.

.Theeieariyte :for @ample anni@ aepy with the electrolyzer shown osition ofjcopper, will ordinarily be introduced into the cathode tank tlow over and about lthe electrodes, and issue. from the anode compartment, regenerated in acid but deprived of much of its copper. It the elec.- trolyte is lcopper sulfate, copper is deposited on the cathode, while the acid is regenerated, v

and oxygen released' at the same time as shown by equations 1 and 2, but containing 'much ozone. The regenerated acid solution is then returned to the ore to dissolve more copper, while the oxygen, containing more `or less ozone, is applied` to the ore to facilitate the extraction of the ,precious metals. If it is desired to dilute the oxygen or ozonue,

this may be done by introducing air into the anode bell throughthe pipe 1st.

The electrolytic apparatus is designed to have the electrodes as close as possible.

Owing to the anodes being placed vertically over the cathodes, the anode gases will 11nmediately rise through the electrolyte and enter theanode bell without coming in contact witlrthe deposited metal at the cathode. In some. electrolytic work this is an im.- portant matter. The' rising ofthe anode gases is also facilitated by the oscillation of the anode bell. In the electrolysis of copper sulfate or of copper chlorid solutions with insoluble anodes, the distance between the 1- electrodes need only be about one half inch.

IHS/order' to p-revent sprouting and conse. quent. short circuitmg. of the electric cur-- l sweep the deposited copper into rent, the anode bell is mounted on flexible suspender-g5, so as to give a small amplitude `of oscillation and thus prevent the deposited metal from building up ytoo rapidly in one place. This may be further assured by placing brushes, such as thinpieces of board, 7a, in the anode spaces which will the pocket of the cathode tank; It isassumed that with the high current density employed, s'ay'from to 200 amper-es' per square toot, that the deposited metal will be loose and easily brushed from the surface of the cathode.

i The.oscillation of the anodebell. agitates the electrolyte,Y and also tends to equalize the deposited metal on the cathode, as well as facilitating the escape t the gases released at the anode.

The cathode tank, mounted on wheels, may also be used to equalize the deposit and to agitate the electrolyte, but is more particularly mounted on wheels for the purpose of removing the deposited metal. lVhen it is ldesired to remove the deposited metal from the cathode tank, the anode bell may i. be elevated by means of pulleys or hoist as shownv at 15 and 18, and the cathode tank wheeled from under it to remove the metal,

while `another cathodeltank from which theA metal has been removed, may be wheeled in its place, and after the anode bell 1s again the anode may be gradually elevated, as

tuated by the mechanism 1T.

lowered, the electrolysis proceeds as before.. Instead ot elevating the anode bell it would be quite feasible to lower the cathode tank by means of screws 1G. These screws may als@ be. usedI to regulate the thickness of deposited metal on the cathode.

- he suspender-s for nthe anode bellr are made adjustableby means of screws 19, going through the supports '20. The adjustable eature of the electrolyzer,is quite an important matter, because the space between the electrodesi'nay be regulated at will, even.

while the electrolyzer is in operation, and if the metal deposited on the cathode is lirliln t e cathode is built up by deposited metal. In this `way there will be great economy in operation, since the metal may be deposited on the cathode to any thickness desired. before it will be necessary to replace the original cathode sheet.

lVhen the cell is in operation the solution to be electrolyze'd is introduced into the cathode tank through pipe 11. The current, entering the leading in rods marked passes to the anodes, T, passes through the electrolyte to the cathodes 6, and leaves the electrolyzer through the rods marked The electrolyte., entering the cell at 11, passes over the cathodes, is electrolyzed and passes with the liberated gases through the space between the anodes, and leaves the anode bell by the exit 12, while at the same time the gases are withdrawn through the exit 13. If it is desired to dilute the anode gases, air may be introduced through the pipe 14. lVhile the electrolysis is. going on the-anode compartment. suspended by tlcxible supports 5, oscillates like a pendulum. ac-

The power required for this purpose is triing.. When the deposited metal .ifs loose or granularit is desirable to have pockets/below the cathodes into 4which the metal may be brushed. and

where it is allowed to accumulate until it isv metal. The outlet pipes and inlet pipes 12,l v13), and 1-1 all have flexible connections, 12,

13a and 14a, between the*- oscillating anodel bell, and stationary object. 1 The electrolyzed and regenerated solution may again be returned to the ore. The application of the anode gases, such as oxygen, ozone or chlorin to the ore is best accomplished byy withdrawing the gases from the anode bell bymeans of a pump, aspirator. exhauster or compressor, 22 and Jforced through the"ore, either in the form of gas, or as the gas dissolved in water. The methods ot applying .oxygen containing ozone, and the ore to be treated contains precious metals eXtractable by the -eyanid process, the metals may be quickly and thoroughly recovered by agitat- Ving the ore slime or pulp in the cyanid solution, with the oxygen and ozone from the anode bell. The oxygen and ozone is preferably diluted Witlrair for thisl purpose, as already described, and repeatedly passed through the ore until consumed.

A composition of metal `the cathode.

It is evident that the apparatus is exceedv ingly well adapted to the decomposition of metal chlorids, chlorin being obtained in the anode bell `\vhile the metal is deposited on plied, as in the case of oxygen or ozone, to the ore by any of the Well known methods.'

`l'. In apparatus for vthe electrolytic desolutions, the combination of ay cathode tank containing the electrolyte, and anode bell suspended Within the cathode tank partially immersed in the electrolyte and free tomove horizontally relatively -to the cathode. 2. In electrolytic apparatus for the` decomposition of metal solutions, the combi' nation of a cathode tank containing the electrolyte: an anode bell suspended Within the cathode tank and partially immersed in the electrolyte, and means of oscillating the anode bell horizontally.relatively to the cathode.

3. In electrolytic apparatus the combination of a cathode tankcontaining the bell suspended Within theicathode tank andpartially immersed in the electrolyte; -means ofv oscillating the anode bell horizontally, and means of ad- `iusting the distance vertically between the electrodes.

el. In electrolytic apparatus the combination of a cathode tank containing the elec! trolyte; an anodebell suspended within the cathode tank and partially immersed in the electrolyte; means of oscillating the anode bell horizontally, (and means of varying the vertical'distance between the cathode tank and anode bell..

.In electrolytic apparatus the combination of a 'tank containing` the electrolyte; a Abell suspended Within the tank and partially immersed in the` electrolyte, and means of oscillating the suspended bell relatively to the electrolyte tank.

6. ln electrolytic apparatus the combinaf tion oi a cathode tank containing the eleci trolyte; an anode bell suspended within the cathode tank and -partially immersed in the electrolyte and free to move horizontally relatively to the cathode, and diaphragm The chlorin may then ,be ap vstretched over the mouth of ythe anode bell bell suspended Within the cathode tank and partially immersed trodes suitably the bell; means in the electrolyte; elecarranged in the tankand in of oscillating the suspended bell, and diaphragm interposed between the electrodes. y

8. In apparatus for the electrolytiicv decomposition of metal solutions, the combination of a cathode trolyte; an anode bell suspended within the cathode tank and partially immersed in the electrolyte; means of introducing the solution to be electrolyzed into the cathode tank, and outlet pipe for the withdrawal of the electrolyzed solutionfrom the anode bell, passing through thev solution in the cathode tank and through the Walls of the cathode tank.

9. In apparatus for the electrolytic decomposition of metal solutions, the combination of a cathode tank containing the electrolyte; an anode bell suspended Within the cathode tank and partially immersed in the electrolyte; means of oscillating the anode bell; means of introducing the electrolyte into the cathode tank, and flexible outlet pipe for withdrawing the electrolyzedsolution from the anode bell passing through the electrolyte in the cathode tank.

In electrolytic apparatus, the combination of a cathode tank containing the electrolyte; an anode bell suspended, Within the cathode tank and partially immersedin the electrolyte; means of introducing the solution to be electrolyzed into the cathode tank; outlet pipe for the withdrawal of the A released gases during electrolysis, and solutank containing the elec-- cathode. tank and partially immersed in the electrolyte; means of withdrawing the electrolyzed -solution from the anode bell and passing' it through the catholyte without mingling with it, and means of trapping the solution to prevent the admittance of air into the anode bell. t

12. In electrolytic apparatus, the combination of a cathode tank containing the electrolyte; an anode bell s uspended Within the cathode tankand partially immersed in the electrolyte; horizontal cathodes in the cathode tank; horizontal anodes attached to the anode bell and suspended over the cath,-

odes, and means of oscillating the anode bell horizontally so-tliat the anodes and cathodes will remain .substantially the saine distance ap'ait.

13. In electrolytic al'iparatus thev combination ot' a cathode tank containing the electrolyte; an anode bell suspended within the cathode tank and partially immersed in theelectrolyte; means of introducing a gaseous substance into the anode bell, and means of withdrawing the gaseous substance so introduced and the a'node gases from the cell.'

14. In nationof a cathode tank containing the electrolyte; an -anode-bell suspended within vthe cathode tank and partially immersed Y in the electrolyte; means ot' introducing the electrtily'te electrolyte into the cathode tank; ineansof withdrawing the electrolyte from the anode bell without mixing with the electrolyte in the cathode tank, and means of withdrawing the liberatedA gases from tl i anode bell, aiid'mean's of oscillating the anode bell.

5. In lelectrolytic apparatus the combi'- nation of a tank containing the electrolyte and electrodes of one sign, and bell containing the electrodes of opposite sign suspended within the electrolyte tank, and which is free to move horizontally and capable of being'adjusted vertically.

16. In electrolytic 1 apparatus the combination of a cathode tank containing` the"elec n trolyte and horizontal cathodes; an anode bell suspended within the cathode tank and containing` horizontal anodes; means of adjusting lthe vertical distance between the 'cathodes and anodes; means of introducing the solution into the cathode tank; a tube for .withdrawing the electrolyzed solution from the anode bell without mixing with' the solution iii the cathode tank, and means of withdrawing the anode gases from the anode bell. i

17. InA electrolytic apparatus the .combination of a cathode tank containing the tank` partially immersed in the electrolyte e and containing horizontal anodes substantially parallel to the horizontal cathodes;

means of adjusting the vertical distance between the anodes and cathodes; dia

phragm interposed between the electrodes; v means of introducii'ig the solution into the cathode tank; means of withdrawing the solution from the anode bell without mingling with the cathode solution. and means of withdrawing the released gases from the anode bell.

1S. In electrolytic apparatus the combination of a tank adapted to contain the electrolyte and containing electrodes of one sign; a bell suspended within the said tank, partially immersed in the electrolyte and electrolytic apparatus the combi- .horizontal anode suspended within and horizontal cathodes; an' -anode bell suspended within the -cathode containing electrodes ofv the opposite sign, and means of oscillating the. bell substantially `parallel to the electrodes inthe elecrtrolyte tank. f' y A '19. In electrolytic apparatus an voscillating anode bell in combination with an oscillating anode.

20. Inv electrolytic apparatus'having an oscillating diaphragm and an oscillating electrode, a space arranged for the free circulation of the electrolyte between the diaphragm and the oscillating electrode. ,A

21. In electiolytic apparatus the combination of a tank containing the electrolyte and horizontal and stationaryl cathode; a the electrolyte tank and substantially parallel with the cathode; an .anode suspended by flexible Suspenders from pivotal points over the electrolyte'tank, and means of oscillating the anode relativelyto the cathode.`

22. In electrolytic apparatus for the decomposition of metal solutions the combination of a tank containing the electrolyte and horizontal and stationary cathode; a

)horizontal anode suspended within the electrolyte tank substantially pa 'allel with the cathode and capable of moying horizontally 1: flexiblesupports suspending the anode within the electrolyte tank, and means,l ol oscillating the anode parallel with the cathode. l y

In electrolytic apparatus` for the de composition of metal lsolutions the combination of a tank containing the electrolyte and horizontal and stationary cathode; 4a horizontal anode suspended within the electrolyte tank and substantially parallel with. thel cathode and .capable of' lmoving horizontally; a support for the anode located at some distance above the electrolyte tank; means of suspending the anode from said support from fixed pivotal points. and means `of' oscillating the anode horizontally and substantially parallel -with the cathode.

2l. In electrolytic apparatus for the decomposition ot' metal solutions the combifv nation of a tank containing the electrolyte -andA horizontal and stationary cathode; a

PUO

horizontal anode'suspended within the elec# i trolyte tank aiidsubstantially parallel with the cathode and capa-ble of moving lhorizontally: a support for the anode located atv some distance above the electrolyte tank; means ot' suspending the anode from said support from fixed vpivotal points; means of oscillating the anode horizontally and substantially parallel `with the cathode, and means of adjust-ing the vertical distance between the electrodes.4

25. In electrolytic apparatus the 4combil' nation of a tank containing the electrolyte and electrodes of one sign; a bell containing the electrodes. ofthe opposite sign suspended Within the Lelectrolyte tank fromv fixed pivotal supports;v means of oscillating lalle electrode bell, and means of Withdrawing tle` electrolyte from the electrode loell Y 5 Without .mingling with the electrolyte in the electrolyte-tank.

26. In electrolytc apparatus an oscillating anode. n eombnation with an oscillat- Ving diaphragm suspended from fixed pivotal-k j points'. f WILLIAM E. GREI1ll\TAY/VAU1`.-

v'VVtnesS'esz FRED PATEE, THOMAS C. HUGHES. 

